Flue cap



J. K. PENNINGTON. FLU'E CAP.

e APPLICATION FILED MAK 29, 1920. 209

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

fol

`1. K. PENNINGTON.

FLUE- CAP.

APPLICATION msn MAR.29,1920.

1,420, 4 l w v Patented J une 2U, 1922E 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UIN iWlmmlrr Illllll' i rr i OFFICE.

FLUE CAP.

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Be it known that I, Jenn K. Pennino- 'rON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles, tate of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in F luc Caps, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to flue caps, or hoods, and it is an object of the invention to provide a flue cap for preventing back draft that is simple, effective and sightly.

A particular object of the invention is to provide a flue cap, that is a Cap for ventilating flues, etc., that is neat and sightly. The cap provided by the invention is balanced in its construction making it particularly neat and sightly in appearance.

A noteworthy feature of the invention is 'the simple balanced construction of the cap.

The cap in being simple in Vconstruction is inexpensive to manufacture and its being balanced makes it very easily operated.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of an extremely effective flue cap.

'lhere are further objects and features of the invention which will be best understood from the following detailed description throughout which reference is had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the flue cap showing it in its normal, or unactuated, position; Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the flue cap showing it in its normal, or unactuated, position; Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken as indicated by line 3-3 on Fig. 2; Fig. i is a side elevation of the cap showing it in a thrown or actuated position; Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view of the cap showing it in an actuated position, is in Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is an enlarged detailed sectional view taken asV indicated by line 6--6 on Fig. 1; Fig. 7 is an enlarged detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 7 7 on Fig. 2; and Fig. 8 is a sec tional View taken as indicated by line 8 8 on Fig. 7.

Throughout the drawings numeral 10 designates the flue or body of the device at the top of which is mounted the cap or hood 11. The body 10, which is preferably formed of sheet metal, is adapted to form a continuation of, or be mounted on the top of, a flue. ln the particular device herein set forth the body l0 is rectangular Specification of Letters Patent. Pmtnted Jung 20, 1922.

.application lecl March 29, 1920.

Serial No. 369,670.

in cross sectional configuration, having side walls 12 and end walls 141-, but it will be understood that the body may be varied in size and shape to properly t the upper end of the particular flue on which the device is to .be mounted. It will be noted in the drawings that the upper ends of the end walls 14 are pointed and extend above the upper ends of the side walls 12 which are straight or horizontal. Straps 15 are secured to the inner sides of the end walls 14 by suitable rivets 16 to extend slightly above the upper ends of the end walls 1K1. The straps 15 are provided to strengthen, or stillen, the end walls 14 and to provide suitable members on which to mount the hood 11.

The hood 11 is constructed of sheet metal and comprises two sides 21 which abut, or come together, at their upper edges, and extend outwardly and downwardly in opposite directions from the top of the hood, or the point at which they abut, and two ends 25 which are secured to andV extend between the sides 21 near their endsL `It might be said that the two sides form an inverted V, the angle between them preferably being such that when one side is lin its flue closing position, the other side will extend in a horizontal plane at approximately right angles to the axis of the flue, or slightly below such a line. This is to afford a maximum flue opening and at the same time prevent the wind pressure against the closing surface from being counter-balanced by a similar pressure on the other side; which would happen if such other side extended above the horizontal plane of the apex of the hood. Also this construction permits the wind to sweep closely over and around the open side of the flue and to create the necessary suction to promote combustion; ylhe lower edges 22 of the ends 25 are curved concentric with the center of pivotal mounting of the hood. lt will be noted in the drawings that the ends 25 of the'hood 11 are outside of, or cover, the upper portions of the end walls le of body 10. `The pivotal connections between the hood 11 and the straps 15 are made by `brackets 17, mounted on, or in, the hood 1l by suitable rivets 18. The brackets 17 are provided with trunnions 19 which extend or project through bores 20 in the upper ends of the straps 15, as clearly shown in Figs. 5 and 7 of the drawings.

The brackets 17, it will be noted, are mounted or arranged at the top, or peak, of the hood 11. The construction and mounting of the hood is such that it prevents rain from getting into the flue.

It will be particularly noted in the drawings that the sides 21, and the ends 25, of the hood 11, are balanced in size and configuration, are symmetrical and like in arrangement. It will be understood how the construction and arrangement of the hood causes its center of mass, or its center of gravity, to be below its point of pivotal mounting; Vand how the hood swings or moves to its centra] or neutral position when 'acted upon only by gravity. When the hood is in its central position both of the vsides 21, of the hood, are spaced considerable distance from the. upper edges of the sides 12, of the body 10, leaving spaces at bothsides of the body 10 through which air and fumes may escape. Y

1t will be understood that the pivotal mounting of the hood on the body permits of the body being swung or moved from side to side. In Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings, the hood 11 is shown swung or turned to the right so that the lange 23, which extends from the outer edge of the left side 21 of the hood 11, engages the rubber strip 31 carried at the upper edge of the right side 12 of the body 10. 1t will be noted, that, when )the hood 11 is turned in this position, the right side 21 is substantially horizontal and is considerably removed from the upper edge, or end, of the right side 12, of the body 10. Itwill be readily understood also how the hood 11 may be swung to the left so that the right side 21, of the hood, engages the rubber strip 31 on the upper end of the right side 12, of the body, thereby causing the left side 21, o'l the hood 11, to be substantially horizontal. The rubber strips 31 which engage the flanges 23, formed at the outer edges o1' the sides 21 are preferably flat strips of rubber reinforced with fabric 24. The rubber strips 31 are carried, or mounted in suitable metal frames 32 secured at the upper ends of the sides 12 by suitable bolts 33. The rubber strips 31 are carried in the Jframes 32 so as to project or extend, somewhat from Ythe frames to engage the flanges 23 when the hood 11 is swung or actuated, and act as bumpers and to make'air-tight joints between the flanges 23 and the upper edges, or ends of the side walls 12.

In order that the hood 11 will be properly thrown or moved from side to side by wind,

or air currents, it is connected at its endsV to arms 35 which are pivotally mounted on the straps 15 at 36j The arms 35 Vextend somewhat above the'hood 11 and vhave mounted on their upper ends Vbrackets 29 wings 37. It will be noted that the points 36, of pivotal connection between the arms 35 and the straps 15, are considerably be low, or removed from, the points of pivotal connection between the hood 11 and the upper ends of the straps 15 and, further, that the connections between the arms 35 and the ends 25, of the hood, are below the points of pivotal connection between the hood 11 and the straps 15. The arms 35 and ends 25, of the hood, are connected by bolts 40 carried in bores 41, in the arms 35, and slots 42, in the ends 25. The wings 37, which extend between the brackets 29 are comparatively close together at their lower edges and curve upwardly and outwardly in opposite directions, as clearly shown in Figs. 1, 2,74 and 5 of the drawings. The two wings 37 are preferably, although not necessarily, formed from a single piece of sheet metal and are secured to lugs '29a which extend from the brackets 29. It will be readily understood how wind, or air currents, striking the wings 37 will cause the arms 35 to be swungv one way or the other about their pivotal mountings 36. Further, it will be understood, that when the arms 35 are moved or swung the hood 11 is also moved or swung due tothe arms 35 being lconnected to the ends 25, of the hood 11. For instance, as illustrated in" Figs. 4 and 5, when the arms are moved to the right the hood also is moved to the right. It is preferred, in order to balance the arms 35 and make them easily operated, that suitable weights 43 be secured or mounted on the arms below the pivotal mountings 36, as shown throughout the drawings. It will be understood how the slots 42 in the end walls 25 of hood 11 allow movement of the bolts 40 through them, when the arms and hood are'being moved, thereby preventing binding or lock- 1' ing of the arms and hood.

`1t will be understood that the wings 37 being arranged parallel with the sides 21 and sides 12 are effectively acted upon by wind which strikes either side of the body. In order that the arms, and therefore the hood 11, be actuated by wind striking the device at an angle, or at one end, wings or fins 50 are secured to the brackets 29 and are arranged to extend diagonally outwardly from the brackets as clearly shown in the drawings. Further, wings or ns 51 and 52 are mounted on and extend from the arms 35, between the connections between the armsV and hood, and the pivotal mountings 36. The fins 52, of which there are two mountedl on each arm 35, are arranged to extend diagonally outwardly in substantially the same planes asrthe fins 50. rlhe fins 51, of which there is only one on each arm 35, extend outwardly from the arms in places perpendicular to the planes of the ends 14, of the body 10. ln practice, the tins 50, 51 and 52 are particularly effective in catching wind, or air currents, so as to cause operation or throwing of the arms and hood. As a matter oi' Vfact, no matter in what direction the wind may be blowing it will be caught by some parts of the device so as to cause throwing or moving of the arms and hood either in one direction or the other. Further the arms and hood are adapted to be actuated by very slight or weak winds due to the fact that the arms 35 are balanced by the lweights 43, and the hood ll is-balanced in its construction. When there is no wind to act upon, or actuate, the device the hood 11 due to its construction and pivotal mountingis acted upon by gravity which causes it to assume the position shown in Figs. l and2, moving with it, the arms 35.

`When the' hood is thrown to either side by Wind striking one of the wings 37 there can be no back, or down draft in the flue, but in fact, there is considerable upward draft induced in the body and iue. The up draft is due to the fact that wind upon hitting a curved wing 37 is directed down wardly so as to pass through the opening, or space, between the bottom of the wing and the upper portion of the hood, thereby causing rapid air currents over the upper side 2l of the hood l1 which upon leaving the outer edge of the side 2l draw the air or fumes out of the stack.

Having set forth a preferred embodiment of my invention l do not wish to limit or restrict myself to the particular details hereinabove set forth but wish to reserve to myself any changes or variations in structure that may fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described a preferred form of my invention, l claim:

l. rlhe combination with a flue, of an inverted V-shaped hood, having end walls, pivotally mounted above the top of the flue, and adapted to oscillate about a horizontal axis to cover and uncover opposite sides of the flue, wind pressure actuated means adapted to tilt the hood to cover the side to windward, said means comprising levers pivotally mounted on the flue and operatively connected to the end walls of the hood at points intermediate its pivotal points and the pivotal points of the levers, and wings extending longitudinally between said levers above and spaced from the hood, said wings being concave to deflect the air currents down onV top of the hood and through the said space and over the open side of the flue.

2. The combination with a flue, of an inverted V-shaped hood, having end walls, pivotally mounted above the top of the flue, and adapted to oscillate about a horizontal axis to cover and uncover opposite sides of the flue, the angle between the sides of the hood being such that when one side is in covering position the other side will extend in a plane substantially parallel with the horizontal plane of the vertex, wind pressure actuated means adapted to tilt the hood to cover the side to windward, said means comprising levers pivotally mounted on the flue and operatively connected to the end walls of the hood at points intermediate its pivotal points and the pivotal points of the levers, `and wings extending longitudinally between said levers above and spaced from the hood, said wings being concave to deiiect the air currents down on top of the hood through the said space and over the open side of the iiue.

3. rlhe combination `with a flue, oli an -inverted il-shaped hood, having end walls, pivotally mounted above the top of the flue,and adapted to oscillate about a horizontal axis to cover and uncover opposite sides of the {iue, the angle between the sides oit' the hood being such that when onev side is in covering position the other side will extend in a plane substantially parallel with the horizontal plane of the vertex, wind pressure actuated means adapted to tilt the hood to cover the side to windward, said means comprising levers pivotally mounted on the iiue and operatively connected to the end walls of' the hood at points intermediate its pivotal points and the pivotal points of the levers, and wings extending longitudinally between said levers above and spaced from the hood, said wings being concave to deflect the air currents down on top of the hood through the said space and over the open side of the flue, and outwardly extending wings on the levers above their pivotal points.

a. The combination with a flue, of a hood pivotally mounted above the top of the flue and adapted to oscillate about the horizontal axis to cover and uncover opposite sides oi' the iiue, wind pressure actuated means to tilt the hood, said means comprising pivoted levers extending above the hood and operatively connected to the ends thereof, wings extending longitudinally between the levers above and spaced from the hood, said wings being oppositely concave to deflect the air currents down on top of the hood and through said space and over lthe open side of the flue.

5. The combination with a iiue, of a hood pivotally mounted above the top of the flue and adapted to oscillate about a horizontal axis to cover and uncover opposite sides of the flue, wind pressure actuated means to tilt the hood, said means comprising pivoted levers extending above the hood and operatively connected to the ends thereof, wings extending longitudinally between the levers above and spaced from the hood, said wings being oppositely concave to deflect the air currents down on top of the hood' and through said space and over the open side of the flue and outwardly extending wings on the levers above their pivotal points.

6. The combination with a flue, of a hood mounted above the top of the flue to cover and uncover opposite sides of said Hue, wind pressure actuated means to operate the hood, said means comprising levers pivotally mounted on the flue and operatively connected to the hood above said pivots, and wings on said levers above their pivotal points, and extending outwardly therefrom.

7. The combination with a flue, of a hood mounted above the topof the flue to cover and uncover opposite sides of the flue, wind pressure actuated means t0 move the hood, said means embodying a wing movable from side to side over the top of the hood and shaped to deflect impinging wind currents downwardly on top of the hood.

8. The combination with a flue, of a movable hood mounted above the top oit the iue,

, said hood being substantially of inverted V-shaped and pivoted in a position to move either of its sides down to cover the adjacent side of the lue top and at the same time moving its other side upwardly to open the opposite side of the flue top; and a movable wing above the hood adapted to move from a position at one side of the hood apex to a position at the other side of the apex, and being so shaped as t0 direct air currents downwardly on top of the hood.

9. The combination with a iue, of a hood mounted above the top of the flue movable to cover and uncover opposite sides of the flue, and a movable wing above the hood adapted to move from side to side over the hood and shaped to deiiect air currents downwardly on top of the hood.

In witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name this 22d day of March, 1920.

JOHN K. PENNINGTON.

Witness: o Y

VIRGINIA BERINGER. 

